Legal Advocacy

Big "I" The Legal Advocacy section is brought to you by IIABA’s Office of the General Counsel (“OGC”).

The OGC handles agency/broker member and state association requests on a broad range of legal and business issues, including reviews of and advocacy concerning contracts addressing agency relationships with carriers, Big “I” trademark use and infringement, antitrust, and federal laws and regulations affecting the insurance industry. The OGC also prepares memoranda and FAQs to assist members in complying with the complex legal requirements of federal laws and regulations that affect their agency and brokerage businesses. External advocacy on behalf of members is central to the activities of the OGC, with an emphasis on the protection of agents’ ownership of expirations and other key components of agency-company contracts. In addition, considerable time is spent by the OGC advocating on other issues that impact the efficiency and profitability of members’ businesses, including proactive negotiation with carriers for changes in agency-company contracts. The OGC also works with members and state associations on strategies for litigation on industry issues. The OGC also provides legal and business counsel to IIABA and all its subsidiaries on contracts that deliver products and services to members, such as the IIABA endorsed errors and omissions program, Big “I” Markets, Trusted Choice®, IA Magazine and the Virtual University.